ARTS COUNCIL MAILING LIST

If you would like to join our mailing list and receive notification of upcoming events, please drop us an email at iomartscouncil@dtl.gov.im.

The Service Players are presenting "The Graduate" in May at the Gaiety Theatre. They are looking mainly for the men of the piece, i.e. Benjamin (21), Mr Braddock and Mr Robinson (both middle-aged). Performance dates are 6 - 8 May and rehearsals start week commencing 1st March. If interested, please contact Lisa Creighton at lisa@confideo.co.uk.

The Department of Education has launched an appeal to artists to forge links with schools. Artists are being sought to help shape the first ever Manx art curriculum, to provide guidance for primary schools. Click here for full details.

Waiting on the World to Change is a CD by TREISHT, over 30 performers in one unique recording. The CD includes video and three bonus tracks. It was filmed, recorded and entirely produced in and around the Isle of Man. It will only be available until MGP 2009 and every penny that the taxman allows will be going to the MGP helicopter fund.

Copies of the CD are available onboard Steam Packet vessels and from the following retail outlets, cost £5: Douglas - Peter Norris, Spill the Beans, Jabberwocky. Ramsey - Shakti Man. Port Erin - 7th Wave. For more information contact christy@runningmedia.com.

Following eight highly-successful years, the Adopt a Composer scheme is to continue in 2009/10, thanks to £25,000 from the PRS Foundation. The scheme, run by Sound and Music and Making Music, enables voluntary music groups to have a new piece of music especially composed for them by some of the UK’s most talented young composers.

BBC Radio 3 has also committed to recording performances of all the resulting work from this year’s scheme. The decision to continue follows a recent independent review that showed an overwhelming positive response from participating ensembles and the unique opportunity for professional and artistic development such collaboration allows.

Once selected, six groups and six composers from around the UK are arranged into pairs, and each pair is mentored by an established professional composer. Over the course of 12 months, they work together to produce a work that is tailor made for the skills and interests of the group members. For many groups, this is their first encounter with contemporary music and the world of the composer. For the composers, this is often their first work for a large-scale group, working in the community. Each project culminates in première performance, which will be recorded by BBC Radio 3 for broadcast later in the year.

Adopt a Composer is managed by Making Music and Sound and Music, and funded by the PRS Foundation. For more information contact Sarah Robinson at Making Music on 020 7422 8291 or by email at sarah.robinson@makingmusic.org.uk.

www.adoptacomposer.org

ISLE OF MAN CHORAL SOCIETY

The Isle of Man Choral Society is a large mixed voice choir (130 members) that rehearses at Ashley Hill School in Onchan on 2nd, 4th and 5th Thursdays in the month from September to March at 7.30pm. The first rehearsal in 2009 will be on 10th September.

The Society's next concert will be at the Villa Marina Royal Hall with the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, 21st March 2010 at 7.30pm. The works to be performed: Faure - Requiem and Dvorak - Stabat Mater.

Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact Jim Cowell, Secretary, at 7 Spinney Close, Douglas IM2 1NF or 671138 or email cowell@manx.net.

FIRST PLACE DANCING

Ever wanted to learn how to dance? Want to surprise your guests on your Wedding Day?

For more information contact David on 07624 401673, email info@firstplacedancing.com or visit www.firstplacedancing.com.

BELLY DANCE FOR FUN AND FITNESS

For bookings and general enquiries contact Adrienne on 836792 adrienne@manx.net or see website www.hediya.org.uk for more details.

2nd Friday of each month: INDIE FILM NIGHTS with the One World Centre

Independent Arthouse Cinema every second Friday at 8.00pm upstairs in Java Cafe, Duke Street, Douglas. Inspiring documentaries, world cinema, Japanese animation, comedy, movies that challenge and question. Afterwards an open space for local and overseas poets. Comfortable sofas, food & drink - ongoing throughout the winter. www.oneworldcentreiom.org.

MANX IKEBANA CLUB meets on the fourth Tuesday in each month at St John's Methodist Hall at 1.30pm. Phone Ann Garrett on 801297 for more details.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE: Sessions for experienced dancers are held fortnightly on Wednesdays from 2 - 4 pm at Laxey AFC Hall. Phone 628521 for details.

SCOTTISH & ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE: Mondays from 7 - 9 pm at Willaston Methodist Hall. Beginners' Evening on 6th October. Contact 628521 for details.

IOM LITERARY SOCIETY

For membership details and programme please contact Barbara Dunworth at barbara.dunworth@manx.net.

Friday 5th March 2010: ARTS COUNCIL PIANO SERIES presents Shuenda Wong

Malaysian Pianist Shuenda Wong graduated from the Staatliche Musikhochschule Freiburg, Germany with high distinction in 2006. He studied with Elza Kolodin and participated in masterclasses with V. Margulis, J. Rouvier, P. Devoyon, C. Elton and others. He is currently completing a Masters Degree at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with Joan Havill under full scholarship supported by the Kobler Trust, HSBC Bursary and the Malaysian Youth Orhcestra Foundation.

At the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin. Tickets £8.00 (Students £1 concession) available from Box Office on 832662.

Presented by the IOM Arts Council.

15th March 2010: THE TALLIS CONSORT LENTEN RECITAL

The Tallis Consort is presenting a Lenten Recital on Monday 15th March 2010 at St Mary's, Hill Street, Douglas. Click here for full details.

15th - 19th March 2010: SOUNDBITES - A series of FREE lunchtime concerts in the Villa Marina Arcade

This month sees the return of our popular series of lunchtime concerts. The week kicks off with the inimitable King Chiaullee, followed on Tuesday by the wonderful sounds of Classical Trio. Wednesday is Red Gap and on Thursday Truman Falls do their thing. The week is rounded off with the smooth jazz sounds of The Jim Caine Quartet.

So pack up your sandwiches and pop in between 1 and 2pm.

Presented by the IOM Arts Council.

18th to 20th March 2010: INSPIRATION THEATRE COMPANY

From 18th to 20th March Inspiration Theatre Company presents "The Adventures of Mr Toad", their first ever "all kids" production.

For more information about auditions, tickets, shows or helping please ring Jooles on 210222.

Sunday 21st March 2010: ISLE OF MAN CHORAL SOCIETY with ISLE OF MAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

A joint presentation of Faure Requiem and Dvorak Stabat Mater. With conductor Julian Power and soloists Karen Elliot, Mandy Griffin, Ernest Thorn and Grqaham Crowe. At 7.30pm, Villa Marina Royal Hall. Tickets available from the ticket hotline on 600555. In support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Supported by AIB Isle of Man and Trident Trust Company (IOM) Ltd.

20th to 27th March 2010: MANX OPERATIC SOCIETY presents HOT MIKADO

Music adapted and arranged by Rob Bowman. Books and Lyrics adapted by David H Bell; based on The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan. Tickets available on from the Box Office on 694555. For more details, visit www.mos.im.

24th April 2010: MANNSLAUGHTER AND MAYHEM An evening of award winning bestselling crime fiction

With Stuart Macbride, Allan Guthrie and Donna Moore. The evening will also feature the announcement of the Isle of Man winner of the CWA Young Crime Writers' Competition.

Tickets can be booked from Erin Arts Centre Box Office on 01624 832662 (Wed to Fri 12.30 - 4.30pm) and 30 minutes before an event or from the Lexicon Bookshop, Douglas.

16th May 2010 :MANX FESTIVAL CHORUS - THE CREATION by JOSEPH HAYDN

In St Matthew's Church, Douglas with soloists Karen Johnson (Soprano), Richard Pollock (Tenor), Philip Smith (Bass), Stephen Hargreaves (Organ), John Bethell (Conductor). Refreshments will be available between Parts II and III.

Tickets £10 from: Peter Norris Music, 39 Finch Road, Douglas; Celtic Gold, 5 Michael Street, Peel; Shakti Man, 66 Parliament Street, Ramsey; and Erin Arts Centre, Victoria Square, Port Erin. Tickets purchased for original event in January will be valid for this performance.

This year Theatre Set-Up celebrate their 34th Anniversary with a performance of The Merchant of Venice in the grounds of Rushen Abbey. Performances commence at 7.30pm, gates open for picnics at 6pm. Click here for more information.

Supported by the IOM Arts Council.

24th to 28th August 2010: INSPIRATION THEATRE COMPANY

From 24th to 28th August Inspiration Theatre Company presents "Calamity Jane".

For more information about auditions, tickets, shows or helping please ring Jooles on 210222.

18th to 21st December 2010: INSPIRATION THEATRE COMPANY

18th to 21st December Inspiration Theatre Company presents "A Festive Musicality" - all your favourite Christmas songs live on stage.

For more information about auditions, tickets, shows or helping please ring Jooles on 210222.